Coach Kwesi Appiah disregarded my 'akwankyer3' – Prophet 1

Black Stars Coach, James Kwesi Appiah has been heavily criticized for his insolence towards a “divine direction” that could have delivered a win for the Ghana team against their Cameroonian opponents in last Saturday’s Group F clash at the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

According to Prophet Dr Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom alias Prophet 1, the Black Stars would have won the match by a lone goal if Coach Kwasi Appiah had heeded his “akwankyer3”, by starting General Captain, Asamoah Gyan alongside Kwadwo Asamoah, as he had directed him to do.

“Government sent a gentleman on behalf of Kwasi Appiah to seek divine direction for the Black Stars to win against Cameroon; I told the emissary that the match was destined to end in a draw, but he went on his knees to beg me to do something about it. So I asked him to tell the Coach to start Asamoah Gyan and Kwadwo Asamoah, but he didn’t listen”, he revealed in a televised sermon on Prophet 1 TV on Sunday monitored by MyNewsGh.com

The Black Stars drew goalless in their second game against Cameroon in Ismalia last Saturday.

The founder and leader of the Ebenezer Miracle Worship Centre said, “I stood before God to plead for a win for Ghana but God told me because Kwasi Appiah disregarded my counsel, there was nothing he could do but to allow the game to end in a draw as destined”, questioning what the coach was expecting Gyan to achieve when he brought him on with only twelve minutes left on the clock.

The senior national soccer team is yet to win a game in this campaign after drawing against Benin and Cameroon.

The team risks elimination if it fails to win against Guinea-Bissau in its final group encounter on Tuesday; a draw could also secure a place for the Stars in the next stage if mathematical permutations go in their favour.

Coach James Kwesi Appiah and his team have been the targets of vitriolic criticisms spearheaded by the Ghanaian media, who had prior to the commencement of the campaign demanded the full disclosure of the Sports Ministry’s budget for the tournament.

There is apathy among the populace, owing to various reservations, including issues with the captaincy of the team, monetary commitments by the government to the players and Coach Kwesi Appiah’s tactics.

But the Government of Ghana has given its full backing to the team as President Akufo Addo has his eyes on the trophy that has eluded the country for 39 years since it was last won in 1982.

If he fails to bring the cup home, James Kwesi Appiah would lose his job, “per the terms of his contract”, respected football pundits have said.